Process for preparation of fluoroformates

Abstract

A process for the preparation of fluoroformates of the formula wherein R 1 is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted and primary or secondary aliphatic, a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted secondary cycloaliphatic or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic, and n is equal to 1, 2 or 3, comprising reacting a corresponding chloroformate of formula I with an alkali metal fluoride in ethylene carbonate at a temperature wherein the ethylene carbonate is liquid whereby it is possible to very rapidly obtain the fluoroformates with excellent yields and high purity.

What we claim is:  
     
       1. A process for the preparation of a fluoroformate of the formula                    
       wherein R 1  is selected from the group consisting of a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted and primary or secondary aliphatic, a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted secondary cycloaliphatic and a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and n is equal to 1, 2 or 3, 
       comprising reacting the corresponding chloroformate of the formula                    
       with an alkali metal fluoride in etheylene carbonate at a temperature at which the ethylene carbonate is liquid. 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  wherein the chloroformate is introduced into the mixture of the alkali metal fluoride and ethylene carbonate. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 2  wherein the introduction of the chloroformate is carried out gradually. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1  wherein the alkali metal fluoride is sodium fluoride or potassium fluoride. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1  wherein the alkali metal fluoride is in powder form. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1  wherein the reaction temperature is between the melting point of ethylene carbonate and 60° C.